Learning focus at the moment
This term we have focused on our gross motor skills, so using the outdoors to run, jump, balance and dig. In every age group we encourage independence, supporting the children to “have a go” and giving them the time to complete tasks themselves. Wellbeing is always paramount, so we have focused on supporting the children with their emotions and giving them opportunities to express how they are feeling. Time to relax and chill out especially on the hot days has been something we have been mindful of, so we have provided the children with lots of opportunities to do this by sleeping outdoors in the breeze or simply sitting in a shady spot with a book. But most of all we have focused on having fun, as having fun is the best way to learn. Preschool The preschool children really enjoy the outdoor space, but this term we focused on our vegetable patch. The children used their gross motor skills to dig the patch and prepare the soil for planting. They carefully planted the vegetables and then watered them each day and watched as the plants grew and flourished. We planted Spring onions, baby carrots, broccoli, peppers and lots of other vegetables. Now we wait patiently until we can harvest and taste them….watch out for our next update. We also enjoyed International Mud Day, where the children helped to create puddles in the soil by digging down and filling it up with water from the hose pipe (before the ban of course!). This provided the opportunity to jump and splash and have enormous fun getting muddy, they also made lots of mud pies in our mud kitchen. Each Tuesday the children look forward to their Spanish session with Jade, singing the songs and learning new words in Spanish each week, but also being able sit, listen and take turns. The children amaze us as they remember the Spanish they learned in previous weeks and pick up more new words quickly. The children eagerly join in the weekly Science Kitchen sessions. The importance of washing their hands and putting on their hats and aprons and clearing away after the session is equally as important as what they make. The children are given the opportunity to weigh, measure, mix and roll, and also chat and recall about times they have baked at home with grandma or their parents, it is always nice to hear the children’s stories, but even better to taste what they have baked. Toddlers The Toddlers have enjoyed being out in the garden too, not only have they spent time in their willow garden exploring the natural resources, they have climbed through the bushes and looked underneath the logs for insects and bugs and they have also joined in to help care for the vegetable patch too helping to water the plants using our special watering can. We talked about what vegetables we were growing and what they need to grow and flourish, like water and sunshine. The children take a keen interest in bugs and the wildlife that visits the garden, we managed to get a close look at a bumble bee and a fabulous Lime Hawk moth caterpillar. And they regularly care for the baby Robin who visits each day for some seeds from our bird feeders. The hot days have given the opportunity to cool down with some water play, not only have we explored what sinks and floats, the children have worked together as a team to fill and empty with different sized jugs and bowls. And they had great fun running through the sprinkler, splashing and getting wet. Babies The children in the baby room have enjoyed being out in the garden, it has given them the opportunity to get really messy. They have been digging in the sand and mud and enjoying the sensory experience of the water and shaving foam. They have chilled out under our new garden sail, enjoying a book or sleeping in the shade. There is always lots of singing and chatter as we encourage the children to expand their ever increasing vocabulary.
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